Investing During a Budget Crisis

Several Websites offer suggestions ranging from buying beaten-down stocks to investing in the sovereign debt of "safer" countries.

Stocks gained modestly Wednesday on news that President Obama was willing to meet with House Republican leaders to discuss the budget and debt ceiling. It also didn't hurt that the president went ahead and nominated Janet Yellen to be the next Federal Reserve chair.

But while the nomination of the well-known Yellen may provide some comfort to markets, the president's willingness to negotiate with Republicans may not lead to much of...